Ribbon-feeding mechanism.



H. c. GAMMETER. RIBBON FEEDING MECHANISM.

71 5611 e'J e UNITED sTAirEs PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY C. GAMMETER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIG NOE TO THE AMERICAN MULTI- GRAPH COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

RIBBON-FEEDING MECHANISM.

Application filed January 27, 1906. Serial No. 298,122.

the inking ribbon of rotary printing m'a-.

chines so as to present a fresh portion of the ribbon to the printing surface.

The invention is particularly adapted to printing mechanisms ot the type shown in my Patent No. 722.404 and my application No. 196,840, wherein there is a rotatable drum having on its surface longitudinal type holders by which individual type are adapted to be carried. The ribbon passes around the drum and hasits ends secured to a pair of spools set into a recess in the drum.

The mechanism constituting this invention, which is hereinafter more fully described and definitely set out in the claims, operates automatically to rotate one spool or the other to wind in the ribhon,the mechanism being conveniently shifted when either spool becomes empty to change the direction of windin The rawings clearly illustrate my invention.

Fi ure 1 is a vertical section through a printing drum .of the character shown in my said patent and application, looking to ward the right- Fig. 2 is a front elevation of such drum partly broken away. Fig. 3 is a section through the studs supporting the spools, being substantially on t c line 33 of Fig. 1.

As shown in the drawings, A reprcsentsa frame standard. Journaled in this and another standard (not shown) is a. shaft 6 on which is mounted a drum B. On this drum are lon itudinal rails b which provide channels between them adapted to carry the type. Within a recess in the drums are mounted a pair of spools D and D", which carry the ribbon which is passed aroiind'the drum from one spool to-the other. The: drum is rotated by suitable means and thereby prints on paper drawn between it and a suitable impression platen -not shown.

Speciflcationof setters Patent. Pateind Judy 11, 1911;;

The spools D and D'- are journaled at one end on studs H mounted in the end member I) of the printing drum B. Springs d? bearing against the other ends of the spools f v normally maintain them 1n such position, but either spool may be removed by pressing it to the left suflicicntlv to release its connec-;

tion with its stud H. :Iournaled on the studs H are ratchet wheels J and J. each of which carries a pin 9' adapted to occupy one of the openings d in the flange d of the spool, whereby the ratchet may drive the spool. Either ratchet is adapted to bev en aged and rotated to wind up the corres on in spool I) and D,-the other spool eing ree to unwind. The body of each spool is shown as a metal tube. the ribbon bein secured to it by means of a sheet metal c annel shaped member (1, which is sprung into a l0ngitudi-' nal slot in the spool, biting the ribbon between it and the spool.

The mechanism for rotating the ratchet wheels comprises an eccentric strap mounted on a stationary eccentric 4: carried A slot j is formed in the bar in which takes a pin G. i

The bar being guided by its fork and slot'is.

caused to reciprocate toward and from the shaft 1; as the drum rotates to partially to tote one or the other spool, the eccentric giv ing the driving action.

The broad i ea of driving the spool ratch ets on the drum by a strap extendin around,

a stationary eccentric is-shown, (ascribed and claimed in my prior application Serial No. 240,167. The present invention is concerned principally with the mechanism for conveying motion from the strap to the ratches, with the detent mechanism and with the shifting arrangement.

The guiding pin G is carried by an arm N which is pivoted by a screw n to a spider of the drum. The pin G is screwed into this arm N and projects beyond the-same. Journaled on the pin between its head and the arm is a double-faced detent pawl K. This pawl has an arm extending toward the shaft b,-and secured to this arm and to the spider b is a spring L under tension. The result of the construction described is that the tension of the spring holds the detent pawl in 'engagen'ieut with one ratchet or the other and thereby holds the pin G in position to guide the bar F so that its pawl engages the teeth of the same ratchet. The bar 1 has a portion f extending upward, as a handle, from the pawl f. By means of this handle. the bar may be shifted into cooperation with the other ratchet, the spring extending sutliciently to allow the pin G to swing past the dead center around the pivot of the arm N as a center, into the corresponding position on the opposite side of the plane pass ing through that pivot and the anchor of the spring. The engagement of the other tooth of the detent pawl K defines the position of the bar in this direction and holds it so that, as it reciprocates, it cooperates with the ratchet wheel on this side.

It will be seen that a very simple mechanism is thus provided, which causes the intermittent rotation of one ribbon spool as long as desired, and then a simple pressure on the handle f shifts the mechanism to Wind the ribbon onto the other spool. The parts are so proportioned that the pawl f is performing its effective action in turning a ratchet wheel, while the recess in the printing drum which contains the spools, is mov ing past. the impression platen (not shown) with which the drum'coiiperates. W'hile the printing impression is being made, the bar is moving either away from the ratchet or idly toward it, taking up clearance allowed for this purpose.

Having thus described my invention, ,1 claim:

1. In a ribbon feeding mechanism, the combination of a movable printing member, a pair of spools mounted therein and adapted to carry the ribbon, a ratchet for driving one of said spools, a suitably guided bar carrying a pawl adapted to engage such ratchet, an eccentric, and an eccentric strap therefor connected with said bar.

2. In a ribbon feeding mechanism, the combination of a rotatable drum. a pair of spools mounted therein, a pair of ratchets connected with said spools respectively, a bar guided to reciprocate toward or from the axis of the drum, an eccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the same and connected with said bar, and means for shifting said bar so that a pawl carried thereby may engage either ratchet.

3. In a ribbon feeding mechanism, the combination of a rotatable drum, :1 pair of spools mounted therein and adapted to carry the ribbon, wheels on said spools, a bar mounted on the drum and guided to reciprocate toward or from the axis of the drum, means for causing such reciproca ion as the drum rotates, and a pawl carried by said bar and adapted to engage either wheel.

4. In a ribbon feeding mechanism, the combination of a pair of spools adapted to carry the ribbon, wheels connected with the respective spools for driving them, a. reciprocatable bar having two guides one of which is movable, a spring tending to move said movable guide into an extreme position, a pawl on the bar adapted to engage the wheel corresponding to the position of said movable guide, and a movable member carrying the two spools and the movable guide.

5. In a ribbon feeding mechanism. the combination of a rotatable drum. a pair of ribbon spools mounted therein, wheels on said spools respectively, a bar mounted on the drum, a pivoted arm. means carried thereby and engaging the bar to guide it, a spring acting on said arm to hold it in an extreme position. a detent pawl carried by said arm adapted to engage the corresponding wheel according to the position of the arm, and means carried by said bar for driving either wheel.

6. The combination of a rotatable drum, a pair of ribbon spools mounted therein, a ratchet wheel for each spool. a bar mounted on the drum and guided by forking around the shaft of the drum. a pivoted arm. and a pin carried thereby and engaging a slot in the' bar, said bar carrying means for engaging either ratchet.

7. The combination with a movable type-- holding member, of a pair of ribbon spools mounted thereon, a wheel for each spool, a bar means for reciprocating it, a pivoted arm, a pin carried thereby and engaging a slot in the bar, said bar carrying means for engaging either wheel, and a handle on said bar for shifting it.

8. The combination of,a rotatable drum, a pair of ribbon spools mounted therein, a ratchet Wheel for each spool, a bar mounted on the drum, a pivoted arm, a pin carried thereby and engaging a slot in the bar, said bar carrying means for engaging either ratchet. and a double-faced detent pawl mounted on said pin and adapted t engage either ratchet.

ratchet, and a spring connected with the deand movable means carrying the spools,

9. The combination with means for car- I rying an assembled form of type, of a pair of ribbon spools, ratchet wheels therefor, reciprocatable mechanism for driving them, a pivoted arm adapted to guide said mechanism,a double-faced detent pawl mounted on said arm and adapted to engage either tent pawl and serving to hold the detent pawl in engagement with its ratchet. 10. The combination of a rotatable drum, a pair of ribbon spools mounted therein and adapted to carry the ribbon, aratchet wheel, on each spool, a bar mounted on the drum and guided by forking around the shaft of the drum, a pivoted arm, a pin carrier thereby and engaging a slot in the bar, said bar carrying means for engaging eitherratchet, and a doublefaced detent pawl mounted on said pin and adapted to engage either ratchet, and a spring connecting the detent pawl and drum, serving to hold the detent pawl in engagement with its ratchet and the guiding pin in an extreme position. 11. In a ribbon feeding mechanism, the combination with means for carrying an as sembled form of type, of a pair of spools adapted to carry the ribbon, aratchet for driving one of said spools, a bar carrying a pawl for operating said ratchet, an eccentric, an eccentric strap surroumling the same and pivotally connected with said bar,

ratchet and bar.

12. The combination of a movable printing member, a pair of spools mounted therein, an eccentric, an eccentric strap, a slidable bar mounted on said member and operated by said eccentric strap to rotate one of said spools, and means for shifting said bar from one spool to the other. I

13. In a ribbon feeding mechanism, the combination 'of a rotatable drmn having a recess, a pair of spools mounted in said recess and adapted to carry the ends of the ribbon and means for feeding said ribbon in either direction, said means comprising ratchets on the spools, means for engaging them, a radial bar mounted on the end member of the drum and adapted to move thelast mentioned means in and out, and a spring for holding said last mentioned means in position to engage the correspondingratchct teeth.

14. In a ribbon'fecding mechanism, the combination of a rotatable drum having a recess and having an'end member, spools mounted in said recess, a stationary eccentric beyond the end member and located around the axisof said drum, an eccentric strap surrounding said eccentric, a movable bar on the outer side of the end member connected with said strap, said "bar passing through an opening in the end member and carrying a pawl on the inner side of the end member, and a wheel connected with one of the spools which is adapted to be engaged by said pawl.

15. The combination of a rotatable drum, a pair of spools mounted therein and adapted to carry the ribbon, a pair of ratchet wheels for said spools, a radial bar, means i carried thereby adapted to engage the teeth of either ratchet, an eccentric, and connecting mechanism between the same and said bar adapted to operate the bar as the drum rotates.

16. The combination of a movable typeholding member, a .shiftable bar carried thereby, a stationary eccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the same and connected witlil'said bar, a pair of ratchet wheels, a pair of spools adapted to be driven thereby respectively, means on the bar to en agc either'wheel according to the position oi the bar, a guiding arm for the bar, a doublefaced detent pawl carried by the arm, and a spring performing the double service of holding the arm in position and the detent pawlin engagement with the corresponding ratchet.

17. The combination of a movable typecarrying member, a pair of spools mounted therein, a pair of ratchcts connected with the spools respectively, mechanism for operating either ratchet, detent mechanism for holding either ratchet", and a single spring adapted to hold the operating mechanism in the path of either ratchet and the detent engaging the corresponding ratchet.

18. The combinationof a movable typecarrying member, a pair of ribbon spools mounted therein, a pair of ratchets for said spools respectively and means for operating either ratchet comprising a shiftable bar having at one end a guide yoke, at the other an operative handle, and intermediately a pair of pawl shoulders.

19. The combination .of a movable type carrying member, a pair of ribbon spools mounted therein, a pair of ratchets for said spools respectively and means for operating either ratchet comprising a shiftable bar having at one end a guide yoke, at the other an operative handle and intermediatcly a pair of pawl shoulders, a stationary eccentric, a strap surrounding the same and pivotally connected with said bar, a shiftable arm, and means carried thereby having a sliding connection with said bar.

20; The combination of a, rotatable drum, a air of ribbon spools carried thereby, ratchet Wheels connected with said spools respectively, a shiftable mechanism adapted to be positionedto engage either ratchet, a radial member carrying such mechanism means for guidin said member, and an eccentric strap for operating said member.

21. The combination of a type-earrying 22. The combination of a rotatable drum.

a pair of ratehetwheels carried thereby, bar mounted on the drum. :1 pivoted arm. said ha and arm having a Slltillblt engagement,,means carried by the bar for engaging either rateh e", a tloublet'aeed detent pawl mounted on shid arm. and a spring aeting on said pawl.

.23. The eombination of a movable printing member. a pair of spools mounted therein. an eeeentric. an eeeentrie strap. a slid I able bar mounted on said member and operated by said eeeentrie strap to rotate one of said spools. a movable arm for guiding said bar. detent meehamsm mounted on the arm. and a spring aeting on the detent ineehanism.

24. "The combination of a rotatable type carrying drum. a pair of spools mounted in a reeess therein, a. stationary eeeentrie. an

eceentrie strap. a slitlable bar mountedon the drum and operated by said eeeentrie strap to rotate either spool. means for Shift ing said bar from one spool to the. other, de l tent mechanism for the tvvo spools. and a spring operating (o-jointly to hold the bar in either of its aetive positions and to hold the detent meehanism in Cooperation with the corresponding spool.

The combination of a pair of spools. a pair of ratehets for (l 'iving them reaped tively, driving" and detent pan'ls therefor. driving meehanism for the driving pant :1 single spring for holding the driving and tletent pawls in eooperation with either ratehet. a movable Pllllllfifl member on whieh the parts mentioned are mounted. and

means forautomatically moving the dri ing meehanism as the primingmember moves.

2. The eombuiation of a. pair or" spools. I

a pair of ratehet wheels for driving them. a reeiproeattng bar earr vm; means adapted engage either rah-bet. a double fat-ed detent adapted to engage either rate'net. a1

rying a page form for printing. of a pair of spools. a pair of ratehet wheels for drivmg them respectively, a reeiprmratmg men amass her adapted to engage either ratchet, a shiftahle arm. a doube faced (latent mounted on said arm. and a single spring acting on said detent.

Q8. The combination with' a movable printing: member of a pair of spools mounted thereon, a pair of ratchet wheels for driving them respectively. an eccentric. a hat driven thereby. means carried by the bar adapted to engage either ratchet, and is spring adapted to hold the same in'engagement therewith. I

.29. The combination of a pair of spools, driving and detent meehanism theretor, a

single spring for both, a movable printing '30. .l he eomblnatlon of a movable printing member, a pair of ratchet Wheels mountt ed thereon. driving and (latent. mechanism therefor. and a handle for simultaneously i shitting both the driving and detent mechal nisms out. of engagement with one ratchet l and into engagement with the other. 1 ll. The eomhination with means for carrviao; an assembled form of type of a shiftl able. bar. a pair of ratchet Wheels, 11 pair of l spools driven thereby, means on the bar to l engage either wheel aeeording to the posil tion of the bar. a guiding arm for the bar, i a double-fared detent pawl, and a spring performingthe double serviee of holding the arm in position and the detent pawl in Z engagement with: the corresponding ratehet, 3:2. The eonihination with means for ca rying a page form for printing of a pair of l spools. a pair of ratehets connected with the spools respectively. meehanism for operat in; either ratehet comprising a movable bar and pawls earried thereby, detentv mechanism for holding either ratehet. a support for the detent meehailism. a guide for the bar earried by the support tor the detent meehanism, and a single spring adapted to hold the operating mechanism in the path of either ratehet.

f fil. The eomhination with means airmrying an assembled form of type. of a pair of ribbon spools. a pair of ratehets for said 1 spools respectively. and means for operating either ratr-het Comprising a shittahle bar haviup near one end a guiding portion. at htother an operating handle. intermedirely a pair of pawl shoulders. and a movbe bar.

2'. The eombination of a-pair of ratchet. wheels. a driving bar. a pivoted arm. said bar and arm having a slidable engagement. means earried by the bar for engaging either ratchet. a double-Howldetent pawl 7 mountedon said arm, a spring acting: on

.ile guide for the intermediate portion of said pawl, and a movable printing member on which all of said parts are mounted.

35. The combination of a rotary drmn, a pair of spools mounted thereon. an ec- 5 centric, and eccentric at up, a slidablc bar operated by said eccentric strap to rotate one of said spools, a movable arm for guiding said bar, detent mechanism mounted on the arm, and a spring acting on the detent mechanism and-holding both it and the bar in position.

36. The combination of a rotatable drum, a pair of spools mounted therein, means for feeding said spools, said means comprising ratchet-s on the spools and shoulders for engaging them, a reciprocating), bar for moving-such shoulders, a stationary eccentric member, and means connecting with said said bar.

pair of spools mounted therein and adaptedto carry the ribbon, a pair of ratchet iv vheels for said spools, a 'shiftable bar have v ing means adapted to engage the teeth of either ratchet, a stationary eccentric driver and meanscarried around by the drum in -'.jconta ot'with said driver and adapted to operate, the bar as the drum rotates.

,The combination of a spool, a ratchet for rotating it, a driving member for the fitcbet, means for operating the driving member, a detent for the ratchet,a spring holding both the driving membet and the .detent in position, a movable printing mem- -ber on whichthe parts mentioned are mounted, and means for automatically moving the driving mechanism as the printing member moves.

".139. A rotatable drum adaptedto carry a printing surfaces, a pair ofribbon spools carried thereby, a pair of ratchets' carried by the drum for driving said spools respect-lvcly, a reciprocatingbar mounted on the drum, means carried by the bar for operating one or the other ratchet, a stationary cccentric member, and a driving connection between said member and said bar.

I 40. The combination of a rotatable drum adapted" to carry a printing surface, a pair of ribbon spools carried thereby, a pair of ratchets carried by the drum for driving said spools respectively, a reciprocating barv mounted on the drum and yoking around the shaft thereof and guided at another point, and means for driving the bar. as Y the drum rotates. Y

" 41. The combination-of a pair of ratchet wheels, aslidably guided reciprocating bar,

means carried thereby for operating eitherwheel, a movable printing member carrying the parts mentioned, a stationary eccentric member, and connecting mechanism between thefsame and said bar.

42. The'eombination of arotatable drum,

"37. The combination of a rotatable drum,

a pair of ratchet wheels carried thereby, a radial bar shdably mounted on anend I member of the drum, astationary eccentric, an eccentric strap surrounding the same and pivoted to said bar for reciprocating said bar as the drum rotates, and means ,moved by the bar for driving one of the ratchet wheels.

43. The combination of a printing member-mounted to turn on an axis. a ratchet wheel carried thereby, a radial bar slidably mounted on said member, a stationary driver, a member for engagement therewith pivoted to the bar for moving said bar as the member turns, and means moved by the bar for driving said ratchet.

44. The combination of a movable typecarrying member, a pair of spools mounted therein, a pair of ratchcts connected with the spools respectively, mechanism for operatine either ratchet, comprising means carried by a movable bar. which is slidably guided near its opposite ends, and means for automatically moving the bar as the type-carrying member moves.

45. The combination of a movable printing member, a pair of spools mounted therein, an eccentric, an eccentric strap, a slidable bar n'iountcd on said member and operated by said eccentric strap. and means carried by the bar and shiitablc to drive one spool or the other as desired.

46. The combination of a movable printing mcmlnir, a pair of spools mounted thereon, a pair of ratchet wheels for driving the same, an eccentric member, a slidablc bar mounted on the printingmember, a driving connection from the eccentric member to said bar, and pawls carried by the. bar and shiftablc to present one .to one ratchet and the other to the other ratchet, as desired.

47. The combination of a rotary printing member, a shaft on which the same is mounted, a pair of ratchet wheels carried by said member, a pair of driving pawls between the wheels, mechanism carrying the pawls and shiftable to present one pawl to one wheel orthe other pawl to the' other wheel and including a bar yoking around the shaft of the printing member, and means for reciprocating said bar.

48. The combination of a shaft, an eccentrio surrounding thesame, a movable bar yoking about thc shaft, an eccentric strap pivoted to the bar, a printing member on the shaft, and a spool driven by said bar and adapted to carry a wound up portion of an inking ribbon for t-heprinting member.

' 49. The combination of a shaft, a printing drum having an end member mounted on the shaft, ribbon spools carried by the drum, mechanism on the inner side of the drum and for driving one of said spools, a'

driver carried by the frame beyond the drum end, and a reciprocable radially extending bar lying partly on the inner side and partly on the outer side of the drum end, passing through an opening in said end, said her on the inner side of the drum end carrying the mechanism mentioned and on the outer side connected with said driver.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto nfiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. 10

HARRY O. GAMMET Witnesses ALBERT H. BATES, W. L. M GARRELL, 

